Japan revises Imperial House Law

Japan revises Imperial House Law

People visit a square facing the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on July 17, 2026. Japan enacted the revised Imperial House Law the same day, permitting the imperial family to adopt males aged 15 or older who are descended from emperors through the male line in 11 former branch families and allowing female members to retain their imperial status even after marrying commoners.

Japan revises Imperial House Law

Japan revises Imperial House Law

People visit a square facing the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on July 17, 2026. Japan enacted the revised Imperial House Law the same day, permitting the imperial family to adopt males aged 15 or older who are descended from emperors through the male line in 11 former branch families and allowing female members to retain their imperial status even after marrying commoners.

Japan revises Imperial House Law

Japan revises Imperial House Law

People visit a square facing the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on July 17, 2026. Japan enacted the revised Imperial House Law the same day, permitting the imperial family to adopt males aged 15 or older who are descended from emperors through the male line in 11 former branch families and allowing female members to retain their imperial status even after marrying commoners.

Frozen food maker Nichirei resumes operations

Frozen food maker Nichirei resumes operations

A truck carrying frozen food products leaves a logistics center for the Nichirei Corp. group in Funabashi in Chiba prefecture, near Tokyo, on July 17, 2026. The company partially resumed operations at refrigerated warehouses the same day after supply chains were disrupted due to a cyberattack.

Football: 2026 World Cup

Football: 2026 World Cup

France head coach Didier Deschamps is pictured after attending a press conference at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on July 13, 2026, a day before a World Cup semifinal football match against Spain.

Canada: Hail, Strong Winds Hit Edmonton 2

Severe weather, including heavy rain, strong winds, and hail, battered Edmonton on Saturday afternoon, July 11, after a severe thunderstorm swept through the area, causing damage and power outages the previous day.

Canada: Hail, Strong Winds Hit Edmonton

Severe weather, including heavy rain, strong winds, and hail, battered Edmonton on Saturday afternoon, July 11, after a severe thunderstorm swept through the area, causing damage and power outages the previous day.

US: Storms Slam Maryland After Record Heat on Independence Day

A powerful line of thunderstorms tore through Maryland on Saturday, July 4, capping a record-breaking heatwave with flash flooding, water rescues, widespread power outages and downed trees, forcing the cancellation or delay of Independence Day celebrations across the state, including fireworks in Baltimore. Wind gusts approaching 70 mph knocked out power to about 70,000 customers and closed Interstate 97.

U.S. marks 250 yrs of independence

U.S. marks 250 yrs of independence

People watch fireworks in Washington in the small hours of July 5, 2026, a day after the 250th anniversary of American independence.

U.S. marks 250 yrs of independence

U.S. marks 250 yrs of independence

Fireworks are set off in Washington in the small hours of July 5, 2026, a day after the 250th anniversary of American independence.

Football: 2026 World Cup

Football: 2026 World Cup

Japan men's football team head coach Hajime Moriyasu holds a press conference in Tokyo on July 2, 2026, after the Samurai Blue squad returned home earlier in the day following a World Cup round-of-32 loss to Brazil in the United States.

Football: 2026 World Cup

Football: 2026 World Cup

Japan men's football team head coach Hajime Moriyasu (C) holds a press conference in Tokyo on July 2, 2026, after the Samurai Blue squad returned home earlier in the day following a World Cup round-of-32 loss to Brazil in the United States.

Football: 2026 World Cup

Football: 2026 World Cup

Japan men's football team head coach Hajime Moriyasu holds a press conference in Tokyo on July 2, 2026, after the Samurai Blue squad returned home earlier in the day following a World Cup round-of-32 loss to Brazil in the United States.

Football: 2026 World Cup

Football: 2026 World Cup

Japan men's football team head coach Hajime Moriyasu holds a press conference in Tokyo on July 2, 2026, after the Samurai Blue squad returned home earlier in the day following a World Cup round-of-32 loss to Brazil in the United States.

Football: 2026 World Cup

Football: 2026 World Cup

Japan men's football team head coach Hajime Moriyasu holds a press conference in Tokyo on July 2, 2026, after the Samurai Blue squad returned home earlier in the day following a World Cup round-of-32 loss to Brazil in the United States.

Football: 2026 World Cup

Football: 2026 World Cup

Japan men's football team head coach Hajime Moriyasu (L) holds a press conference in Tokyo on July 2, 2026, after the Samurai Blue squad returned home earlier in the day following a World Cup round-of-32 loss to Brazil in the United States. Sitting beside him is Japan Football Association President Tsuneyasu Miyamoto.

Football: 2026 World Cup

Football: 2026 World Cup

Japan men's football team head coach Hajime Moriyasu (L) holds a press conference in Tokyo on July 2, 2026, after the Samurai Blue squad returned home earlier in the day following a World Cup round-of-32 loss to Brazil in the United States. Sitting beside him is Japan Football Association President Tsuneyasu Miyamoto.

Football: 2026 World Cup

Football: 2026 World Cup

Japan men's football team head coach Hajime Moriyasu holds a press conference in Tokyo on July 2, 2026, after Samurai Blue players returned home with him earlier in the day following a World Cup round of 32 loss to Brazil in the United States.

Football: 2026 World Cup

Football: 2026 World Cup

Japan men's football team head coach Hajime Moriyasu holds a press conference in Tokyo on July 2, 2026, after Samurai Blue players returned home with him earlier in the day following a World Cup round of 32 loss to Brazil in the United States.

Football: 2026 World Cup

Football: 2026 World Cup

Japan men's football team head coach Hajime Moriyasu holds a press conference in Tokyo on July 2, 2026, after Samurai Blue players returned home with him earlier in the day following a World Cup round of 32 loss to Brazil in the United States.

Football: 2026 World Cup

Football: 2026 World Cup

Japan men's football team head coach Hajime Moriyasu holds a press conference in Tokyo on July 2, 2026, after Samurai Blue players returned home with him earlier in the day following a World Cup round of 32 loss to Brazil in the United States.

Football: 2026 World Cup

Football: 2026 World Cup

Japan men's football team head coach Hajime Moriyasu holds a press conference in Tokyo on July 2, 2026, after Samurai Blue players returned home with him earlier in the day following a World Cup round of 32 loss to Brazil in the United States.

Light aircraft crashes into skyscraper in Beijing

Light aircraft crashes into skyscraper in Beijing

Damage is seen on the CITIC Tower, the tallest building in Beijing, on June 27, 2026, after a small airplane crashed into the skyscraper the previous day, killing the pilot and injuring 13 people.

Light aircraft crashes into skyscraper in Beijing

Light aircraft crashes into skyscraper in Beijing

Damage is seen on the CITIC Tower, the tallest building in Beijing, on June 27, 2026, after a small airplane crashed into the skyscraper the previous day, killing the pilot and injuring 13 people.

Light aircraft crashes into skyscraper in Beijing

Light aircraft crashes into skyscraper in Beijing

Damage is seen on the CITIC Tower, the tallest building in Beijing, on June 27, 2026, after a small airplane crashed into the skyscraper the previous day, killing the pilot and injuring 13 people.

Tennis: Wimbledon championships

Tennis: Wimbledon championships

Naomi Osaka of Japan (L) is pictured after a training session held ahead of the Wimbledon tennis tournament in London on June 28, 2026. The grand slam tournament begins the following day, with Osaka set to face Elsa Jacquemot of France in the first round.

Japan emperor, empress in Brussels

Japan emperor, empress in Brussels

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (far R) and Empress Masako (2nd from R) bid farewell to Belgian King Philippe and Queen Mathilde after taking a stroll in a botanical garden at the Palace of Laeken in Brussels on June 25, 2026. The Japanese imperial couple will fly to Japan later in the day, wrapping up their official trip to the Netherlands and Belgium. (Pool photo)

Japan emperor, empress in Brussels

Japan emperor, empress in Brussels

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (far R) and Empress Masako (2nd from R) bid farewell to Belgian King Philippe and Queen Mathilde after taking a stroll in a botanical garden at the Palace of Laeken in Brussels on June 25, 2026. The Japanese imperial couple will fly to Japan later in the day, wrapping up their official trip to the Netherlands and Belgium. (Pool photo)

Powerful earthquake hits northeastern Japan

Powerful earthquake hits northeastern Japan

People look at a digital bulletin board at JR Sendai Station in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on June 25, 2026, after Tohoku Shinkansen bullet train services were halted following a preliminary-magnitude 7.2 earthquake that struck the region earlier in the day.

Powerful earthquake hits northeastern Japan

Powerful earthquake hits northeastern Japan

A digital bulletin board at JR Sendai Station in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, displays a notice about the suspension of Tohoku Shinkansen bullet train services on June 25, 2026, after an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.2 struck the region earlier in the day.

Powerful earthquake hits northeastern Japan

Powerful earthquake hits northeastern Japan

A station employee announces the suspension of Tohoku Shinkansen bullet train services at JR Morioka Station in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on June 25, 2026, after an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.2 struck the region earlier in the day.

Powerful earthquake hits northeastern Japan

Powerful earthquake hits northeastern Japan

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara holds a press conference in Tokyo on June 25, 2026, after an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.2 struck northeastern Japan earlier in the day.

Powerful earthquake hits northeastern Japan

Powerful earthquake hits northeastern Japan

A digital bulletin board at JR Tokyo Station displays a notice about the suspension of Tohoku Shinkansen bullet train services on June 25, 2026, after an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.2 struck northeastern Japan earlier in the day.

Powerful earthquake hits northeastern Japan

Powerful earthquake hits northeastern Japan

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara holds a press conference in Tokyo on June 25, 2026, after an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.2 struck northeastern Japan earlier in the day.

Powerful earthquake hits northeastern Japan

Powerful earthquake hits northeastern Japan

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara holds a press conference in Tokyo on June 25, 2026, after an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.2 struck northeastern Japan earlier in the day.

Football: 2026 World Cup

Football: 2026 World Cup

Japan squad members train at their base camp in the Nashville suburbs, Tennessee, on June 15, 2026, a day after a 2-2 draw with the Netherlands in their football World Cup Group F opener near Dallas, Texas. Japan will face Tunisia near Monterrey, Mexico, on June 20.

Football: 2026 World Cup

Football: 2026 World Cup

Japan squad members train at their base camp in the Nashville suburbs, Tennessee, on June 15, 2026, a day after a 2-2 draw with the Netherlands in their football World Cup Group F opener near Dallas, Texas. Japan will face Tunisia near Monterrey, Mexico, on June 20.

Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo: Paris tournament

Ozeki Kotozakura holds the victor's trophy after winning a two-day exhibition sumo tournament at Accor Arena in Paris on June 14, 2026.

Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo: Paris tournament

Ozeki Kotozakura holds the victor's trophy after winning a two-day exhibition sumo tournament at Accor Arena in Paris on June 14, 2026.

Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo: Paris tournament

A bow-twirling ritual is held after the first day of a two-day sumo tournament at Accor Arena in Paris on June 13, 2026.

Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo: Paris tournament

A bow-twirling ritual is held after the first day of a two-day sumo tournament at Accor Arena in Paris on June 13, 2026.

Scenic road in central Japan

Scenic road in central Japan

Vehicles drive along the Hakusan Shirakawago White Road in Hakusan in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, on June 12, 2026. The scenic road fully reopened to traffic the same day after a seven-month winter closure.

Scenic road in central Japan

Scenic road in central Japan

A car drives along the Hakusan Shirakawago White Road in Shirakawa in Gifu Prefecture, central Japan, on June 12, 2026. The scenic road fully reopened to traffic the same day after a seven-month winter closure.

China: Summer City Transformed Into Winter Scene by Sudden Hailstorm

A severe storm hit Langfang, Hebei province, on June 4, 2026, bringing heavy hail and a rapid temperature drop after a sweltering day with temperatures in the high 30s°C (around 95°F). The footage shows streets covered in accumulated ice pellets, creating a winter-like scene in the middle of summer.

China-N. Korea summit in Pyongyang

China-N. Korea summit in Pyongyang

A man looks at a Chinese newspaper in Beijing on June 9, 2026, a day after Chinese President Xi Jinping met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during his first visit to Pyongyang in seven years.

China-N. Korea summit in Pyongyang

China-N. Korea summit in Pyongyang

A man looks at a Chinese newspaper in Beijing on June 9, 2026, a day after Chinese President Xi Jinping met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during his first visit to Pyongyang in seven years.

OECD Council meeting

OECD Council meeting

Mathias Cormann, secretary general of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, holds a press conference after a two-day OECD Council meeting ended without issuing a ministerial statement for the second straight year in Paris on June 4, 2026.

1st oil tanker to arrive in Japan passing Hormuz since Iran war

CHITA, Japan, May 25 Kyodo - Video taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on May 25, 2026, shows the Idemitsu Maru, an oil tanker operated by a unit of major Japanese petroleum company Idemitsu Kosan Co., off Chita, Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, following its arrival earlier in the day after transiting the Strait of Hormuz in late April. It is the first oil tanker to arrive in Japan having passed through the strait since the Iran war erupted and left traffic through the vital energy route heavily restricted. (Kyodo)

Welcome ceremony for Philippine President Marcos Jr.

Welcome ceremony for Philippine President Marcos Jr.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (2nd from L) and his wife Louise Araneta-Marcos (L) attend a welcome ceremony with Japanese Emperor Naruhito (3rd from L) and Empress Masako at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on May 27, 2026, after arriving in Japan the previous day for a four-day state visit. (Pool photo)

Welcome ceremony for Philippine President Marcos Jr.

Welcome ceremony for Philippine President Marcos Jr.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (front, L) and his wife Louise Araneta-Marcos (back, L) attend a welcome ceremony with Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on May 27, 2026, after arriving in Japan the previous day for a four-day state visit. (Pool photo)